Is This Why Meghan Markle Isn’t Wearing Her Engagement Ring?

Meghan Markle loves jewelry, but a key piece was missing when she stepped out in London on Monday. She wasn’t wearing her engagement ring.

Don’t worry, that isn’t a sign of trouble. The Duchess of Sussex was attending an event for Commonwealth Day at Canada House in London with her husband, Prince Harry, and she still wore her wedding band.

An explanation for the engagement ring’s absence could be as simple as forgetting to put it on. Meghan wouldn’t be the first new wife to leave her diamond ring on the bathroom sink. However, she also did not put the ring on after an outfit change for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey later in the day, which makes it seem like it was more of a conscious choice.

Though no official comments have been made, it could mean she has swollen hands due to her pregnancy. Swollen fingers are very common in pregnant women, and the former actress is expected to give birth to her first child in late April or early May.

The diamond ring was custom-made for Meghan in 2017. Prince Harry put plenty of thought into the piece.

“The ring is obviously yellow gold because that’s [Markle’s] favorite and the main stone itself I sourced from Botswana and the little diamonds either side are from my mother’s jewelry collection, to make sure that she’s with us on this crazy journey together,” Harry told BBC during their engagement interview.

Obviously, including two stones from Princess Diana’s jewelry collection is very sentimental. Botswana also holds a special place in the couple’s hearts because it was their first trip together. After just a few dates, Harry convinced Meghan to join him on a five-night trip to the African country.

“To be able to have this which sort of links where you come from and Botswana which is important to us and it’s – it’s perfect,” Meghan added in the November 2017 interview.

While Meghan’s engagement ring was missing, she still wore her wedding band. It’s made of Welsh gold and was a gift from Queen Elizabeth II. It is traditional for the Queen to gift a Welsh gold ring to the bride. Kate Middleton and Princess Eugenie also received their wedding bands from the monarch.